The ultraportable, relatively low
cost ASUS Eee PC made a big splash since its debut. Offered at a sub-$300 price
point in its simplest configuration and available from a large number of
distributors, including big consumer stores like Best Buy, the Eee has carved
out a niche for inexpensive subnotebooks that other manufacturers are now
rushing to help fill. Recently they've expanded their product line with a 4G
model that includes Windows XP pre-installed and, astonishingly, lists at the
same sticker price as the Linux version ($399). Once again, let's delve into
the Eee and examine what the Windows XP environment does for us.

What do I get?

If you haven't seen our previous articles
on the Eee, there are many additional product and screen shots in those reviews.
Here, we will primarily focus on the differences due to the Windows XP
operating system.

The hardware in the 4G and 4G XP is
identical. However, this time around, ASUS has thrown a few more goodies in the
box: a small optical mouse and a 4GB SDHC card for additional storage space.

What's
this - warranty no longer "void if removed"?

Another minor tweak, as pointed out
in the memory photo, is that the "Warranty void if removed" sticker
over the access panel is gone, replaced with a rather useless "Eee PC"
sticker. Other than that, the hardware and specifications are identical to the
original 4G, and we won't rehash them here, other than some discussions of the
processor later on.

I haven't installed XP lately (been doing more in the way of Vista installs), but I'm pretty sure XP SP2 doesn't include IE7. Should ASUS install all the current Windows Updates? Probably. But it wouldn't shock me if they didn't. At least SP3 should be out soon.... Reply

F11 full screen still forces a status bar. IE can be configured to take as little screen space as F11 full screen mode by reducing the toolbar buttons and placing them on the same bar as the file/edit drop down menus. Then, disable the status bar and hide the Start menu bar. Voila! Reply